SACPA Session Examines Fentanyl Situation in Alberta
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LETHBRIDGE – The Medical Officer of Health for the South Zone spoke at SACPA (Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs) Thursday, discussing how the province is dealing with Fentanyl use in Alberta.
Doctor Karin Goodison explained that the issue has been growing for years. In 2015, 272 deaths were attributed to the drug, compared to 120 in 2014.
She stated that they are working on a number of initiatives, focusing on one in particular, “I think public education is a big, key part of that, so getting the word out there, I think more people are aware that it is a problem, and that should hopefully help reduce the usage at the user point.”
For those already hooked on Fentanyl, Goodison says that there’s an option, “The other piece we really want to work on is Opioid Replacement Therapy, so we want to be able to offer people treatment when they’re addicted, because this craving-use cycle can be broken by appropriate treatment.”
